New York Knicks Exploring Ben Simmons for Veteran Minimum Deal in Low-Risk, High-Upside Move That Could Quietly Pay Off

The New York Knicks have entered the NBA rumor mill yet again, but this time with a name that once captivated the league for both his brilliance and baffling inconsistencies. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks are reportedly showing real interest in signing former All-Star Ben Simmons to their final veteran minimum slot. It’s a potential move that’s already generating buzz, curiosity, and no small amount of skepticism from around the league.

But here’s the key: the Knicks aren’t banking on Simmons to be the dominant force he was in Philadelphia. They’re not asking for the All-Defensive Team enforcer, the elite transition playmaker, or the triple-double machine. They don’t need him to redefine their franchise. All they need is a steady hand, a willing defender, and a situational contributor off the bench.

And if Simmons, now 28 and facing the biggest career crossroads of his basketball life, can accept that role? This low-risk gamble could become one of the sneakiest wins of the offseason.

Simmons, who played in 51 games for the Brooklyn Nets last season, averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game on 52% shooting. On paper, those numbers might look underwhelming, but the context matters. Simmons dealt with lingering injury issues—again—which hampered his availability and rhythm. But when he was on the court, he flashed just enough to remind teams of the qualities that made him a No. 1 overall pick and a three-time All-Star.

At 6-foot-10 with elite vision and defensive instincts, Simmons still brings attributes that coaches value in a role player—especially one on a minimum contract. He’s still one of the best floor-seers among non-guards, and he can still switch across multiple positions defensively. His ability to push the ball in transition, operate as a secondary playmaker, and defend wings and even some bigs gives him a utility-belt vibe—one that fits nicely with Tom Thibodeau’s defensive-minded, structure-first system.

The Knicks don’t need Simmons to lead them. They have Jalen Brunson for that. They have Julius Randle and Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo and Mitchell Robinson. They have scoring punch, defensive grit, and veteran experience. Simmons would be, at best, a supporting piece—a second-unit spark plug who can handle the ball, initiate offense, grab a rebound, and guard a star for a few possessions.

That’s a long way from his days in Philly, where he was expected to carry the offensive load alongside Joel Embiid and then flamed out spectacularly during the 2021 playoffs. That version of Simmons may never return. But this new version—humbled, healthy, and in search of basketball redemption—might be just the kind of player the Knicks can use.

The veteran minimum deal removes most of the risk. It doesn’t eat into cap flexibility, it doesn’t require guaranteed minutes, and it doesn’t place pressure on the coaching staff to force Simmons into a role he can’t fulfill. If it works, it’s a steal. If it doesn’t, the Knicks move on without a financial or rotational mess.

For Simmons, New York could represent the perfect landing spot. Not just because of the team’s structure, but because of the city’s blunt honesty. There’s no room for fragile egos in the Big Apple, but there is plenty of space for players willing to grind, defend, and give everything on the court—even in short spurts. Knicks fans don’t demand perfection; they demand effort, toughness, and resilience.

In some ways, Simmons’ journey mirrors that of other former stars who found late-career roles by embracing change. Dwight Howard extended his NBA life by becoming a rebounding, rim-running, bench big in Los Angeles. Derrick Rose became a fan-favorite sixth man and calming presence in Minnesota and New York after his MVP days faded. Could Simmons be the next in that lineage?

That depends almost entirely on two things: his health and his mindset.

The physical toll on Simmons has been immense—back surgeries, nerve issues, lingering soreness. Even last year, his appearances were limited due to injury management. For him to help the Knicks, he must be available at least semi-consistently. Not 82 games, but enough to get rhythm and contribute meaningfully.

The mental side is just as crucial. One of the biggest knocks on Simmons in recent years—fair or not—has been his perceived unwillingness to evolve. Passing up wide-open shots. Avoiding free throws. Struggling with confidence under pressure. But if he’s come to terms with where he is in his career—and accepts a role-player identity—then a fresh start in a no-nonsense basketball culture could rejuvenate him.

It’s a two-way street. The Knicks would need to manage expectations and usage. Simmons would need to buy in and stay ready. But the foundation is there. He’d be surrounded by tough, defensive-minded teammates, a respected head coach in Thibodeau, and a rising Eastern Conference contender that doesn’t need a savior—just a helper.

There’s another layer to this possible move: versatility.

In Thibodeau’s system, positionless defense is paramount. Players who can switch, hedge, recover, and fight through screens are invaluable. Simmons, even at diminished speed, still understands how to guard multiple spots. He can body up wings, rotate onto stretch bigs, and has the length to be disruptive in passing lanes. His rebounding—especially on the defensive end—adds more value when he’s at the four or small-ball five.

Offensively, he won’t shoot. That’s a given. But he doesn’t need to. He can operate as a short-roll passer. He can bring the ball up against pressure. He can attack mismatches and make one-dribble reads that most forwards can’t. He may not be a scorer, but he’s still a connector—someone who keeps the ball moving and finds open teammates.

If Thibodeau staggers lineups properly, Simmons could share the floor with floor-spacers like DiVincenzo, Alec Burks, or Bojan Bogdanović. That could reduce the offensive clunkiness that sometimes plagued Simmons in Brooklyn and Philly when paired with non-shooters.

Ultimately, this rumored move reflects a broader trend among contending teams: take low-cost swings on talented players who’ve fallen out of favor. If they hit, you’ve added a rotation piece for pennies. If they miss, the consequences are negligible.

In Simmons’ case, the stakes are even higher on a personal level. His NBA journey has taken him from franchise cornerstone to buyout candidate. But a veteran minimum deal with the Knicks could give him something far more valuable than money or stats: a shot at redemption on the game’s biggest stage.

There’s also the narrative allure. Imagine Simmons checking in at Madison Square Garden, making a key steal, threading a behind-the-back assist in transition, and igniting the crowd. Imagine him accepting the challenge of guarding Jayson Tatum or Jimmy Butler for stretches in a playoff game. Those moments, even in short bursts, could redefine how the league sees him—and how he sees himself.

Of course, this is still speculative. No deal has been signed. Talks could stall. The Knicks could go in another direction. Simmons could prioritize another situation with a clearer path to minutes or a smaller market.

But if the two sides come together? It would be a fascinating union—one filled with questions, but also quiet potential.

In the end, it’s not about recapturing stardom. It’s about finding purpose. And for Ben Simmons, a bench role on a tough, playoff-ready Knicks team might be the most meaningful chapter of his career yet.